Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 765

Sunset Town is located on the southeastern border of Yuhua Kingdom. Although it is a town, its scale is no less than that of a county town with a population of over 100,000. The only difference is that it lacks the city defenses and garrison that a county town should have. However, the number of constables and yamen runners is slightly greater than that of a typical county town, and there is even a top-level constable with advanced cultivation level in charge.

The reason for this is that this place is one of the important commercial distribution centers in the southeast of Yuhua Kingdom.

From here, continue southeast for less than a hundred miles to cross the border and enter the vast Gobi Desert. There is a trade route in the desert. If you cross the trade route, you can reach Huizhou of Jing Kingdom. This trade route is also the most important trade route between Yuhua Kingdom and Jing Kingdom.

Anyone with a basic understanding of geography knows that there are not many places where Yuhua Kingdom and Jing Kingdom directly border each other. Even if there are, they are poor and remote places or dangerous places, where it is difficult to open up trade routes and exchanges.

That's not entirely accurate. Strictly speaking, the border between the two countries is quite vast, but that area is an endless desert, making it difficult to survive. Neither side would go to great lengths to occupy and manage it, but neither side has given up on the surface. Each side has incorporated a portion of it into its territory, so the border is ambiguous and no one takes it seriously.

Crossing the desert is incredibly dangerous, yet every year countless caravans still embark on this trade route in search of wealth. A couple of trips a year to trade goods can make a fortune, but countless people never manage to leave that desert.

There was no other way. If they didn't take this dangerous trade route, they would have to take a long detour to trade with Jing Kingdom in a relatively safe way. Whether they went north or south around the desert, the distance would increase several times, and the cost would be too high. So it was better to risk crossing the desert. There was danger, but the profit was high, so they had to take the risk.

Trade between the two countries is no small matter; small-scale smuggling cannot be considered a legitimate form of trade.

Because of the existence of this desert, which acts as a natural barrier between the two countries, there have been almost no large-scale military conflicts between Yuhua Kingdom and Jing Kingdom for hundreds of years. Unless there is a compelling reason to send troops, it would be a losing proposition.

In fact, if the maps of Jing, Rong, Yuhua, and Shuangyue are drawn together, it will be found that the desert with a diameter of more than 5,000 li is located in the middle of the four countries. Its existence has a natural barrier and balancing effect between the two countries that are diagonally opposite each other.

However, this makes the desert barren and difficult to live in. It is tasteless to eat and a pity to throw away, and it is a no-man's-land. It is bound to harbor filth and evil. Countless vicious and desperate people may choose to plunge into the desert in order to gain a glimmer of hope.

Chen Xuan had learned about these geographical details when he went to the desert to join in the fun years ago, and they hadn't changed much over the years. As for whether the trade routes in the desert had been altered in some places for various reasons over the years, that remains unknown.

More than half a month had passed since they were chased by the Chrysanthemum Guards and the remnants of the Qin family. Chen Xuan and his group came to this border trading town for sightseeing.

During this period, they tried to avoid going into towns as much as possible, so they did not encounter any troubles and had a very relaxed and happy time. With a large group of people, they were not bored at all.

The closer they got to the desert, the more desolate it became. Coupled with the long drought, the vegetation withered. When they arrived at Sunset Town, the sight of a patch of green on the ground was a refreshing surprise.

Spending most of their time in the carriage, no matter how smooth and comfortable it was, made them feel uneasy. So, when they were still about ten miles from Sunset Town, they got off the carriage and chose to walk, including the little princess.

After a few months, the little princess's pregnancy was becoming more noticeable, though it wasn't obvious because she was wearing a loose-fitting dress.

As evening fell, Chen Xuan helped the little princess stroll towards Sunset Town. They were a short distance away from the main road, and the surrounding terrain was flat and easy to walk on, which also avoided the sandstorms kicked up by passersby.

In the height of summer, the air is dry and scorching, the vast and desolate land is barren, and occasionally sandstorms swirl up withered grass. The sun is about to sink below the horizon, and the sky is a fiery red with a slightly yellowish hue.

"No wonder this place is called Sunset Town. The sunset is so beautiful. It gives me a sense of vicissitude, vastness, and makes me feel very small. It's a magnificent sight that is breathtaking," the little princess said happily, looking in the direction of the sunset for a long time.

From childhood to adulthood, she had almost never left the capital of Jing Kingdom. If Chen Xuan hadn't taken her on a long journey, she would never have seen such scenery.

Gently holding her waist, Chen Xuan smiled and said beside her, "If my wife likes it, I'll take you around more often in the future, to see all the sights of the world."

Nestling her head on Chen Xuan's shoulder, the little princess smiled gently and said, "Occasionally is fine. Who wanders around all year round without ever being home? Besides, wherever my husband is, the world is full of beautiful scenery."

"My wife, you're right. Although I am handsome, I am not so bad as to make the mountains and rivers pale in comparison, am I?" Chen Xuan immediately replied with a smile.

The little princess rolled her eyes slightly and covered her mouth, saying, "My husband always likes to joke around. With such a beautiful view, I was hoping you would offer your thoughts."

Chen Xuan, with an expression that seemed to say, "My wife knows perfectly well that I'm not very well-educated and can't come up with any fancy words. If that top scholar, Xiao Gao, were here, he could easily spout a few lines. Back when we were in Mo City, when we went out for a stroll, he would occasionally blurt out a few beautiful lines of poetry, which moved Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye to tears. In my hometown dialect, we'd call it 'showing off their love,' making me almost not want to know them anymore."

"You had such fun times back then, it's a pity I wasn't there, otherwise my husband wouldn't have to envy them," the little princess said with a smile and a hint of regret.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan laughed and said, "Back then, my wife was just a little girl, still working hard on her creative endeavors. If I had run off with you, my father-in-law would have hunted me down all over the world. Besides, I wasn't envious of them at all back then, not even a little bit."

"Yes, yes, my husband is young, promising, handsome, and dashing. He can have beautiful girls throwing themselves at him with just a snap of his fingers. There's no need to envy them," the little princess said with a smile, going along with him...

The young girls didn't disturb the couple, following them at a respectful distance. Guo Qingxue watched the two strolling arm in arm ahead, her eyes flashing with envy and anticipation. She murmured sincerely, "Brother Chen and Sister Qianning are simply a match made in heaven. They're so loving; they're the epitome of a divine couple."

Su Roujia nodded in deep agreement, then her eyes darted around and she said with a slightly encouraging tone, "Sister Xue'er, give it your all! Master is soft-hearted. If you take the initiative, he simply won't be able to resist. Then everyone will be envious of you!"

Her face flushed, Guo Qingxue pinched Su Roujia's waist, feigning anger but actually feeling guilty, and said irritably, "What are you talking about, little girl? What do you mean by 'taking the initiative'? I'll pinch you!"

"No, no, no, I was wrong, don't pinch me, it tickles!" The little girl happily dodged away, which led to Guo Qingxue chasing and playing around with her, and her laughter echoed in the desolate countryside.

Before we knew it, the sun had sunk below the horizon, dusk had fallen, and the town of Sunset Town ahead was dotted with lights, with the tinkling of camel bells echoing in the distance.

Noticing that Chen Xuan and his group's interest was waning, Xia Mei stepped forward and asked, "Master, our men have already checked the town. The accommodations in the town are almost full, and the conditions are generally poor. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of setting up camp outside the town. What do you think, Master?"

She phrased it very tactfully, knowing that Chen Xuan didn't care about these things, but it would be truly unfair for Her Highness to stay in those inns that had been stayed in by countless people. She couldn't say it outright.

Chen Xuan understood her concerns and smiled, nodding, "Then let's camp outside the town. That's how we've been doing it all this time. It's quiet, and the starry night sky is right before our eyes, almost within reach. It's quite fun." "I'll arrange it right away," Xia Mei said with a sigh of relief. If Chen Xuan insisted on taking the princess to experience the local customs, then things would be complicated. Encountering some unreasonable people would be a minor issue, but the simple accommodations would be truly unbearable.

The campsite was quickly set up at the foot of a sheltered hill. Having spent most of the time sleeping in the wilderness, they had become quite adept at it.

Located a couple of miles from Sunset Town, this place is situated on higher ground, offering a panoramic view of the town's nightscape. However, there's not much to see; the vast, open land, bordering the desert, is constantly eroded by wind and sand, resulting in low, simple buildings. The sound of camel bells adds to the sense of desolation.

However, Chen Xuan and his group presented a completely different scene. The house, pieced together from carriages, was not luxurious but rather exquisite. The flickering lights illuminated the surroundings, and a bonfire was lit for a self-service barbecue. With fine wine, delicious food, and the singing and dancing of Yun Lan and Yun Xin, it was truly a delightful experience.

"Brother Chen, how does it taste?" Guo Qingxue asked Chen Xuan expectantly, carrying a plate of skewers. Her face was flushed, whether from the little girl's encouragement to take the initiative earlier or from the heat of the charcoal fire while grilling the skewers herself, it was hard to tell.

The edge of the desert is constantly battered by sandstorms, but with Chen Xuan around, the sandstorms have difficulty getting close to them.

The young girl, busy with the barbecue, secretly watched this scene, secretly smiling and cheering for Guo Qingxue. She had long known about Guo Qingxue's feelings for her master. The two were not far apart in age and had become best friends who could talk about anything during this time. She looked forward to the day when her master would accept her.

Jealousy is out of the question. She's just a young maid. If, in a few years, the master doesn't mind serving her, that would be her honor.

Under Guo Qingxue's expectant gaze, Chen Xuan picked up a skewer, tasted it, and gave it a thumbs up, saying, "Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, spicy and delicious! Xiaoxue, your cooking skills are excellent!"

"It's not that good. If you like it, Brother Chen, I'll bake some more for you. If you don't mind, I can make it for you every day from now on," Guo Qingxue said happily, then went off to busy herself again, though the last part of her sentence was barely audible.

The little princess watched Guo Qingxue's retreating figure, nudged Chen Xuan with her elbow, and said in a low voice with a hint of exasperation, "Husband, Xiaoxue is a girl who disregards her reputation and follows you everywhere. Her feelings are written all over her face. It's come to this point, can't you take the initiative?"

Hearing this, Chen Xuan's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "Here we go again." He said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Just be happy and let things take their course. These things are all about the atmosphere. If the atmosphere is right, everything will fall into place. If the atmosphere isn't right, it'll be awkward. Right now, it's still missing something."

"You really don't know what you're thinking. Is it really that hard to say just a few words? The girl is so anxious and tormented because she hasn't received a response and can't see any results," the little princess said sadly, clearly worried sick.

Chen Xuan felt a headache coming on and said speechlessly, "What can I do? She's a good girl. I've seen everything that's happened recently. It's impossible for me to be indifferent, but the timing and atmosphere aren't right. I can't just say, 'Let's not be so reserved, she'll be my little wife,' can I?"

With a quick glance, the little princess eagerly asked, "So, my husband is willing to accept her? He's just shy, right? No problem, I'll make the announcement for you."

Chen Xuan quickly interrupted, "Wife, don't do anything rash. We've already said it hasn't come to that point yet. Wanqian's situation hasn't been finalized. I'm already having a headache over this, so don't make things worse. Alright, that's enough. She's coming over; don't scare the young girl."

The little princess sighed inwardly, feeling melancholy. Other families could get a daughter-in-law with just a word, but why was it so difficult for her?

Guo Qingxue came over again, carrying a plate of roasted meat. She said expectantly, "Brother Chen, if you like it, eat more. By the way, when we first met, Brother Chen, you transformed into Yang Guo, and I still can't forget the roasted meat you sold me. After that separation, many years passed, and I kept searching for that taste, but I couldn't find it. Until you said at the Tai Xuan Sect that you were Yang Guo from back then, I went to Brother Chen's house and realized that what I had been searching for all these years wasn't the taste, but Brother Chen himself."

Faced with her undisguised fervor in her reminiscence, Chen Xuan felt a slight pang in his heart upon hearing this. It would be hard for anyone to remain unmoved after being sought after by a girl for so many years.

She smiled, picked up the roasted meat she had brought and took a bite, recalling the scene from back then, saying, "Back then, Xiaoxue, you were so easy to fool with your money. You were really willing to spend money on a piece of roasted meat, faster than snatching it. I was thinking at the time, if I sold it all to you, wouldn't I be rich?"

"I was young back then, but the barbecue was really delicious, and I think it was worth it. Otherwise, how would I have met Brother Chen?" Guo Qingxue said, resting her chin on her hands with her eyelashes curving. She blinked at Chen Xuan as he carefully wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief while eating the barbecue.

Chen Xuan wanted to avoid the topic, but was afraid of hurting the girl's feelings. He secretly exclaimed that no one could resist this, and changed the subject, saying, "The events of that year are still vivid in my mind. By the way, Xiaoxue, would you like to go back to that place?"

"Of course I want to go, is that alright, Brother Chen? My grandfather died there, and I want to go there to pay my respects," Guo Qingxue said happily, but her eyes dimmed as she spoke.

Patting her on the shoulder, Chen Xuan nodded and said, "Let's go take a look then. Since we're going to cross the desert anyway, we might as well revisit this place along the way."

Thinking of her beloved grandfather who died in the desert when she was a child, Guo Qingxue's mood became depressed, even though her memory was somewhat hazy.

Tomorrow they will enter the desert, and still have no plans to go to Sunset Town, which is not far away. After a happy barbecue, as night deepens, they tidy up, wash up, and rest.

Because of her pregnancy, the little princess was worried about harming the fetus and tried to avoid having sex with Chen Xuan. Chen Xuan, of course, knew his limits and wouldn't do anything reckless. He was used to his wife chasing him away, so as he prepared to rest, he habitually headed towards Du Juan's room.

Du Juan stood at the door, head bowed. Hearing Chen Xuan's footsteps, she subconsciously looked up, her eyes red and on the verge of tears. She hurriedly avoided his gaze, wiping her eyes with her sleeve and trying to appear nonchalant, saying, "Master, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Xuan stepped forward and asked with concern, "Sister Juan, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

"No, sir, you've misunderstood. No one bullied me," Du Juan hurriedly said with a smile, subconsciously taking a step back under Chen Xuan's concerned gaze.

Upon seeing this, Chen Xuan was stunned. What's wrong with Sister Juan?

Realizing her unconscious action, Du Juan panicked and quickly explained, "Master, please don't misunderstand. I'm on my period, so it's not convenient today."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. So that's what happened. He'd thought he'd done something to upset Du Juan. He didn't care about that, and stepped forward again, saying with a mixture of concern and amusement, "It's nothing, Sister Juan, you don't need to cry."

He shouldn't have said anything, because once he did, Du Juan, whose eyes were already red, burst into tears, which immediately threw Chen Xuan into a fluster.

"Sister Juan, don't cry, what happened?"

...(End of this chapter)